NSW: Former Labor MP secretary declares victory in court battle

AAP General News (Australia)
08-14-2001
NSW: Former Labor MP secretary declares victory in court battle

By Linda Silmalis

SYDNEY, Aug 14 AAP - An electoral secretary who sued the NSW parliament for alleged
mistreatment by former Labor MP Peter Nagle today declared a victory against "power and
might".

Kristine Frost had sought more than $1 million in damages for a decade of "harsh, unfair
and unconscionable" working conditions she claimed she endured while working for the Auburn
MP.

Mr Nagle was due to give evidence before the NSW Industrial Relations Commission today,
but the two parties ended up settling out of court shortly before noon.

Ms Frost, who emerged from the court apparently shaken, would not disclose how much
she had received but said the action had been worthwhile.

In a prepared statement read out by one of her lawyers, Alex Howen, she urged others
who felt they had been wronged by their employers, but lacked courage, not to lose heart.

"Ms Frost would like to send a message to all those people who are afraid to fight
those in positions of power," the statement said.

"She would like everyone to remember that might does not make right and for those people
to stand up for their beliefs and they will overcome in the end."

Ms Frost said she had no regrets about taking the action, although agreed it had taken
its toll on her emotionally.

Ms Frost, whose employment with Mr Nagle was terminated in 1998 after she was declared
medically unfit, said she was uncertain whether she would return to work.

"I don't know. I'll have to go home and relax and see how I feel when it's over," she said.

Ms Frost was employed to work with Mr Nagle as his electorate secretary in May 1988.

Over the next decade, Ms Frost claimed she was abused by the practising barrister,
forced to work long hours which included weekends, and to take on some of his constituency
work.

Justice Barrie Hungerford congratulated the parties for resolving what he described
as "a somewhat difficult and complex matter".

Mr Nagle ended his 13-year career in politics last month, citing ill health.

A by-election will be held in his western Sydney seat on September 8.

NSW Opposition Leader Kerry Chikarovski said the timing of the settlement was "no coincidence"

and demanded the government reveal the cost of the case to taxpayers.

"Obviously, the Labor Party did not want this case hanging around while the Auburn
by-election is underway," she said.

Meanwhile, two other court battles involving Ms Frost and Mr Nagle are yet to be resolved.

Ms Frost has sought to bring a civil action in the NSW Supreme Court against Mr Nagle,
Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly and the State Government.

Her claim was struck out earlier this month, with Ms Frost given two months to re-file.

Mr Nagle has lodged a separate claim in the NSW District Court, where he alleges common
law conspiracy has resulted in him suffering from anxiety and depression.

AAP ls/rp/las/sb

KEYWORD: FROST NIGHTLEAD

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